Self-protective device

ABSTRACT

A nonlethal self-protective device utilizing pressurized cans of an incapacitating fluid and a gaseous fluid. The device includes a nozzle for dispensing the incapacitating fluid and a whistle which is activated by the gaseous fluid. The contents of the cans are released by the actuation of a trigger which in turn actuates a camming member which moves a valve actuator to depress the valve stems of the cans.

United States Patent Van Dyck et al.

[ 1 Jan. 18, 1972 [54] SELF-PROTECTIVE DEVICE [72] Inventors: Kenneth A.Van Dyck, Weston; Phillip W. King, Cheshire; Charles F. Stephenson,

Rowayton, all of Conn.

[73] Assignee: Olin Corporation [22] Filed: Sept. 29, 1969 [21] App].No.: 861,733

[52] [1.5. CI. ..222/3, 222/135, 239/304 [5 1] Int. Cl ..B67b 7/24 [58]Field oISearch ..222/3,39,402.l3, 182,6,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,690,729 10/1954 Maier..1l6/1l2 2,876,935 3/1959 Lindberg ..1l6/112 3,506,159 4/1970 Muller..239/304 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 338,382 11/1959 Switzerland..239/307 Primary ExaminerLloyd L. King Anomey-Donald R. Motsko, l-I.Samuel Kieser and William W. Jones ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figuresl SELF-PROTECTIVE pEvrcn crimes which are committed against the person,the public is.

becoming more afraid to travel alone, at night, and in areas lackingproper police protection where the chances of criminal attack isgreater. However, a mobile society such as exists today, requires thatindividuals move about. Thus, many people are desirous of equippingthemselves with some type of device which will protect them against apossible attacker.

One device that has been suggested utilizes tear gas. Such a device isusually in the form of a pistol or an elongated penlike object smallenough so that 'it can be carried in the pocket or handbag. However, adevice of this type may permanently harm an attacker and also, may notbe approved by some authorities.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of animproved self-protective device.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of aself-protective device which upon actuation will emit a spray ofnonlethal fluid to temporarily incapacitate an attacker as well as anaudible signal to summon aid.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of anonlethal, self-protective device which is compact in size, readilyconcealable, and easy to actuate.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparent by reference to the following description of a preferredembodiment and to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the various components of the device;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the device with one-halfof the housing removed;

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction indicated by line 3-3 of FIG. 2;and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

In general, the self-protective device of the present invention consistsof a housing 2 comprising right-hand and lefthand housing members 4 and6 and a bottom cover 8. Mounted within the housing are two aerosol cans10 and 12, one of which 10 contains an incapacitating fluid underpressure and the other of which 12 contains a pressurized gaseous fluid.Each of the aerosol cans 10 and 12 are of the type commonly available onthe market and include stems 14 extending from the top of the can andadapted to be depressed to cause release of the contents of the can. Avalve actuator 16 is attached to the valve stems 14 of cans 10 and 12. Awhistleand nozzle unit 18 is provided with connection being providedbetween the unit 18 and the aerosol cans l0 and 12. A camming member 20is provided in association with the valve actuator 16 and mates with atrigger 22 so that when the trigger is depressed, the camming member 20serves to move the valve actuator 16 in a direction which will depressthe valve stems 14 causing the contents thereof to be released and passthrough the whistle and nozzle unit 18 to provide a spray ofincapacitating fluid and an audible signal. A safety 24 is provided inconjunction with a safety latch 26 to prevent movement of the cammingmember 20 when the safety is in the on position to prevent theaccidental operation of the device.

More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the right-hand andleft-hand housing members 4 and 6 are mirror images of each other. Eachof the housing members 4 and 6 contain two semicircular openings 28 and30 in their forward edge portion to provide an outlet for the whistleand spray from the nozzle of unit 18. A cutout 32 is provided on the topedge of each of the housing members 4 and 6 for reception of the safety24. In addition, a. cutout 34 is provided in the front edge of themembers for reception of the trigger 22.

The internal surface of each of the housing members includes raisedguide surfaces which are preferably molded integral with the members.The guide surfaces include a first pair of spaced, elongated projections36 and 38 which form a channel or groove 40 extending in the directionof the axes of the cans l0 and 12. A second set of spaced, elongatedprojections 42 and 44 form a channel 46 which is positioned forwardly ofthe first set and extends parallel to the axes of the cans l0 and 12. Athird set of spaced, elongated projections 48 and 50 are provided whichform an elongated channel or groove 52 extending in a directionperpendicular to the axes ofthe cans l0 and 12. I

The can 10 which contains the incapacitating spray is provided with asquare collar 54 adjacent its upper end. The can 12 containing thegaseous fluid is provided with a circular collar 56 in a similarlocation. Each of the housing members 4 and 6 are provided with aninwardly extending can-mounting I projection 58 which includes twoplanar portions 60 and 62 extending at right angles to each other. Theaerosol can 10' is placed in the housing so that the adjacent sides ofthe square collar 54 are in engagement with the two planar portions 60and 62 of projection 58. For mounting the can 12 which contains thegaseous fluid, each of the housing members 4 and 6 are provided with aninwardly extending projection 64 having an arcuate inner face 68 whichis adapted to engage the edge of the circular collar 56.

The valve actuator 16 includes two spaced upright posts 70 and 72 at itsrearward end.-The posts 70 and 72 ride in the channel 40 in each of thehousing members 4 and 6. The valve actuator 16 also includes twocylindrical apertures 74 and 76 into which the valve stem 14 of each ofthe cans 10 and 12 extend. Two tapered outlets 78 and 80 are providedimmediately above the cylindrical apertures 74 and 76, respectively, andcommunication is provided therebetween by bores 82 and 84.

The camming member 20 comprises a generally U-shaped member and ismounted in the housing with the spaced legs 86 and 88 thereof riding inthe oppositely disposed channels 52 in the housing members 4 and 6. Therearward ends of the legs 86 and 88 are tapered as indicated at 90 andmate with cam surfaces 92 and 94 on the valve actuator 16. The cammingmember 20 also includes a reduced forwardly extendingportion 96 which isadapted to mate with the trigger 22. The trigger 22 is pivotablyattached to the housing members 4 and 6 by means of a pin member 98extending through suitable apertures.

The nozzle and whistle unit 18 comprises a one-piece body member 100.The body member 100 includes a nozzle portion 102 positioned adjacentthe opening 28 in the housing members 4 and 6 and a whistle portion 104positioned adjacent the opening 30. The whistle portion 104 includes acounterbore 106 forming a shoulder 108 therein. A disc member 110 whichforms a diaphragm, is fixedly attached to the shoulder 108. Afunnel-shaped member 112 is inserted within the counterbore 106 toprovide a megaphone effect to the whistle.

Suitable tubing 114 extends from the inlet 116 of the nozzle portion ofthe whistle and nozzle unit 18 to the tapered outlet 78 of the valveactuator 16. Similarly, suitable tubing 118 connects the inlet 120 ofthe whistle portion 104 to the tapered outlet 80 of the valve actuator16. I

The safety 24 includes a button 122, a reduced neck portion 124 and twospaced planar portions 126. The safety 24 is mounted in the housing suchthat the neck portion 124 is disposed within the cutout 32 with thesafety button 122 riding along the outer surface of the housing members4 and 6. The planar portions 126 include a cutout track 128 whichextends at an angle with respect to the axes of the can members 10 and12.

The safety latch 26 comprises a generally U-shaped member having twooppositely disposed leg portions 130 and 132 provided with pin members134 at their free end. The leg portions 130 and 132 are guided formovement within the housing by the projections 42 and 44 which formchannels 46 in which the leg portions are mounted. The pin' members 134extend into the tracks 128 in the safety 24. The camming member 20 isprovided with upstanding projections 136 and 138 which are adapted toabut the transverse portion 140 of the safety latch 26 when the safetyis in the on" position.

To assemble the device, all that is necessary is that the variouscomponents, excluding the cans 10 and 12, be positioned in theirrespective opening, cutout or channel in one of the housing members 4and 6. The other housing member may then be brought into matingengagement with the first housing member and clamped together by anysuitable means such as a resilient clip or suitable adhesive tape. Whenthe two housing members 4 and 6 are assembled together, the cans 10 and12 may be inserted through the bottom opening and the bottom cover 8attached thereto. The bottom cover 8 includes detents 142 and 144extending upwardly from the sidewall thereof and adapted to mate withindentations 146 and 148 in the wall of the housing members 4 and 6 tosecure the bottom cover 8 thereto.

in operation, with the safety in the off" position as shown in FIG. 2,when the trigger 22 is depressed, the camming member 20 moves in channel52 in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the cans l and 12. Therearward ends of the legs 86 and 88 of the camming member 20 act on thecam surfaces 92 and 94 on the valve actuator 16. As the valve actuatoris constrained from movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes ofthe cans 10 and 12 by projections 36 and 38, the taper of the camsurfaces will cause the valve actuator 16 to move in a downwarddirection parallel to the axes of the cans 10 and 12 depressing thevalve stems 14 thereof and causing release of their contents. When thetrigger 22 is released, the components will move to their originalposition by virtue of the biasing effect provided by the springs used inconnection with the valve stems 14 of the aerosol cans 10 and 12.

When the safety 24 is moved rearwardly to the on position, the track 128will act on the pin members 134 of the safety latch 26 causing it tomove downwardly within channels 46. When the safety latch 26 is in itsdownward position, the transverse portion 140 thereof will be positionedimmediately behind the upstanding projections 136 and 138. Thus, aspressure is applied to the trigger movement of the trigger and cammingmember will be prevented by the safety latch 26, thereby preventingaccidental discharge of the contents of the cans 10 and 12.

It will thus be seen that by virtue of the above-described invention anonlethal, self-protective device is provided which is compact, easy tomanufacture and assemble, and easy to use. Also, as the can containinghe pressurized fluid has a differently shaped collar than the cancontaining the pressurized incapacitating spray, and since the housinghas differently shaped projections for the reception of the cans, oneprojection is adapted to mate with one collar and the other adapted tomate with the other collar, it will be assured that the proper can isinserted into the proper place in the valve actuator.

What is claimed is;

l. A protection device comprising a housing, means in said housing formounting a container of a pressurized protective fluid, means in saidhousing for mounting a container of pressurized gaseous fluid, a firstmember having ports for the reception of the nozzles of said containers,means mounting said first member in said housing for movement in adirection parallel to the axes of the containers and preventing movementin a direction perpendicular thereto, a second member having a camsurface, means mounting said second member in said housing for movementin a direction perpendicular to the axes of the containers andpreventing movement in a direction parallel to the axes of thecontainers, means on said first member for engagement by said camsurface for moving said first member in a direction toward saidcontainers when said second member is moved in a direction perpendicularto said containers, a trigger mechanism pivotably attached to saidhousing and in engagement with said second member to move said secondmember, a gas operated whistle mounted in said housing, said whistleincluding a gas inlet, a nozzle unit in said housing having an outletcommunicating with the exterior of said housing and an inlet, first ductmeans connecting the port receiving the nozzle of the container ofprotective fluid to the inlet of said nozzle for providing a fluidpassageway therebetween, and second duct means for connecting the otherport to the whistle inlet for providing a fluid passageway therebetween.

2. The protective device of claim 1, further including safety meansmovable between an on position and an off" position for preventingmovement of said members when the safety is in the off position and saidtrigger is pressed.

3. The protective device of claim 2, wherein said safety means includesa safety button mounted for movement in said housing, a safety latch,means mounting said safety latch in said housing for movement in adirection parallel to the axes of said containers and constraining itfrom movement in a direction perpendicular thereto, meansinterconnecting said latch and button so that upon movement of saidbutton to the on position said safety latch is moved toward saidcontainers in a direction parallel to the axes thereof, and means onsaid latch for abutting said safety latch when said safety button is inthe on position.

* .lll llTED STATES PATENT OFFIICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3635372 I Dated 1-18-72 Inventor(s) Kenneth A. Van Dyck et a1 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In column I, line 47 "10" should read --(1 O)-- In column I, line 48;"12" should read --(12) In column I, line 50 insert -valve-- between"include stems" In column 3, line 47, delete "he" and insert --the--Signed and sealed this 30th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) At'test:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents F ORM P0-105O (10-59) L USCOMM-DC 6037O-P69 U.5. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: I909 0-306-334

1. A protection device comprising a housing, means in said housing for mounting a container of a pressurized protective fluid, means in said housing for mounting a container of pressurized gaseous fluid, a first member having ports for the reception of the nozzles of said containers, means mounting said first member in said housing for movement in a direction parallel to the axes of the containers and preventing movement in a direction perpendicular thereto, a second member having a cam surface, means mounting said second member in said housing for movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the containers and preventing movement in a direction parallel to the axes of the containers, means on said first member for engagement by said cam surface for moving said first member in a direction toward said containers when said second member is moved in a direction perpendicular to said containers, a trigger mechanism pivotably attached to said housing and in engagement with said second member to move said second member, a gas operated whistle mounted in said housing, said whistle including a gas inlet, a nozzle unit in said housing having an outlet communicating with the exterior of said housing and an inlet, first duct means connecting the port receiving the nozzle of the container of protective fluid to the inlet of said nozzle for providing a fluid passageway therebetween, and second duct means for connecting the other port to the whistle inlet for providing a fluid passageway therebetween.
 2. The protective device of claim 1, further including safety means movable between an ''''on'''' position and an ''''off'''' position for preventing movement of said members when the safety is in the ''''off'''' position and said trigger is pressed.
 3. The protective device of claim 2, wherein said safety means includes a safety button mounted for movement in said housing, a safety latch, means mounting said safety latch in said housing for movement in a direction parallel to the axes of said containers and constraining it from movement in a direction perpendicular thereto, means interconnecting said latch and button so that upon movement of said button to the ''''on'''' position said safety latch is moved toward said containers in a direction parallel to the axes thereof, and means on said latch for abutting said safety latch when said safety button is in the ''''on'''' position. 